Charles and Ray Eames are well known for groundbreaking contributions to architecture, industrial design and manufacturing, and of course, furniture. "The Eames Chair" is among their most famous creations. 

 

During World War II, the Eames' developed a successful method for moulding plywood.

 

FEATURE Eames plywood radios spawned by the WWII war effort Eames brothers designed cabinet forms for manufacturers such as Bendix Corporation, Emerson Radio, Hamilton Radio, Zenith Corporation, and many others.

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This led them to be commissioned by the United States Navy to produce molded plywood splints, stretchers, and experimental glider shells. Post-war, this method led to the creation of other products, including 200,000 radios.

 

One radio design, however, never went into production: an elegant table radio with a moulded plywood case, whose compact shape and austere, and more technical look were unusual for the time. The radio was rejected by the designated manufacturer, who wanted a 'normal design'. 

 

The Eames' sent photographs of the prototype to the magazine 'Interiors'. Their aim was to increase the acceptance of smaller, more modern devices. However, this goal proved elusive, and the production of Eames radios was discontinued in the early 1950s.

 

Now, that design is owned by Swiss furniture maker Vitra, and they're going to manufacture it.

 

The radios will be encased in a walnut cabinet and will be equipped with up-to-date technology, says Vitra.

Vitra will produce 999 radios, at $999 each.